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Beaches Link plans revealed

The NSW Government has revealed a preferred route for the Beaches Link and Western Harbour tunnels.

The Beaches Link tunnel will connect to the Warringah Freeway, cross underneath Middle Harbour and connect with the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah. The Wakehurst Parkway will be upgraded to two lanes each way between Seaforth and Frenchs Forest.

The Western Harbour Tunnel will connect to WestConnex at the Rozelle Interchange, cross underneath Sydney Harbour and connect with the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney.

Motorists using the tunnels will bypass up to 19 sets of traffic lights and cut up to 40 minutes in travel time between Brookvale and the CBD. The tunnels will also slash up to 45 minutes between Manly and Parramatta.

Northern Beaches bus commuters could see travel times reduced by up to 40 per cent and there will be less “rat-running” on local streets.

At this stage of the project, the government has also:

started to contact 71 property owners who may be directly impacted by the route

committed $77 million to undertake geotechnical work along the route

started a market-sounding process involving the private sector to look into funding and delivery options

started community information sessions.

Roads and Maritime Services will ensure that people who may be impacted are kept updated around development of the project.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it had taken two years to make this project a reality.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering this important project which will reduce congestion along the gridlocked Spit and Military Roads and provide a Sydney Harbour and Anzac Bridge bypass for Western and Southern Sydney motorists,” Ms Berejiklian said.